Stifel Increases Price Target for Northwestern Natural (NWN)
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 23 2025
0mins
Should l Buy NWN?
Source: Yahoo Finance
Company Overview: Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE:NWN) operates natural gas and water utilities in the Pacific Northwest and Texas, and has been recognized as one of the 14 best utility dividend stocks to buy now.
Stock Performance: Following a mixed third-quarter report, Stifel analyst Selman Akyol raised NWN's price target from $50 to $52 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating, despite the company missing revenue expectations.
Financial Highlights: NWN reported an adjusted loss per share of $0.73, which beat estimates, and a revenue of $164.7 million, which fell short of expectations, although it experienced a 20% year-over-year revenue increase.
Dividend Commitment: The company has increased its dividend for the fourth quarter, marking the 70th consecutive year of annual dividend increases, making it one of only three companies on the NYSE with such a record.
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Analyst Views on NWN
Wall Street analysts forecast NWN stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 53.220
Low
52.00
Averages
52.50
High
53.00
Current: 53.220
Low
52.00
Averages
52.50
High
53.00
About NWN
Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiaries, provides critical energy and delivers water and wastewater services to nearly one million meters across seven states. The Company’s segments include NWN Gas Utility, SiEnergy, and NWN Water. The NWN Gas Utility segment is a regulated utility servicing customers in Oregon and southwest Washington and includes the portion of the Mist underground storage facility used to serve its customers, the North Mist gas storage expansion in Oregon, and NWN Gas Reserves. SiEnergy Gas Utility segment is a regulated natural gas distribution utility and serves residential and commercial customers in the greater metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas, and Austin, Texas. SiEnergy Gas Utility also serves several transmission customers in Dallas and Austin, Texas. NWN Water Utility is a regulated water and wastewater utility serving residential and commercial customers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Texas, and Arizona.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Northwest Natural Holding Named Among Best Utility Stocks for Dividends in 2026
- Price Target Increase: Stifel raised the price target for Northwest Natural Holding from $52 to $58 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating, indicating over an 11% upside from the current share price, reflecting market confidence in the company's future performance.
- Earnings Report Highlights: In its Q4 2025 report, Northwest Natural posted adjusted earnings of $1.39 per share, beating estimates by $0.03, although revenue of $394 million fell short by nearly $26 million, demonstrating resilience amid growth with a 6% YoY increase.
- Record Annual Performance: The company achieved a record adjusted EPS of $2.93 for FY 2025 and deployed a record amount of capital to support customers, indicating its competitive position and solid customer base in the market.
- Future Growth Targets: Northwest Natural is targeting an EPS range of $2.95 to $3.15 for FY 2026, reaffirming its goal of achieving a CAGR of 4%-6% through 2030, showcasing its potential for long-term growth.
See More
Northwest Natural Holding Company Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Record Earnings Per Share: Northwest Natural Holding Company reported an adjusted earnings per share of $2.93 for 2025, a 25.8% increase from $2.33 in 2024, driven by new rates and strong organic customer growth that enhanced profitability.
- Innovative Capital Investment: The company achieved a record capital investment of $467 million in 2025, with $340 million allocated to acquisitions, demonstrating its proactive strategy in expanding operations and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Outstanding Water Segment Performance: The water segment contributed $0.35 per share, accounting for 12% of the company's adjusted earnings per share, exceeding expectations and indicating its significant role in overall performance.
- Future Growth Outlook: The company anticipates earnings per share for 2026 to range between $2.95 and $3.15, maintaining a long-term growth rate of 4% to 6% annually, with potential increases to 5% to 7% if the MX3 project receives approval.
See More
Northwest Natural (NWN) Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Northwest Natural Holding Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Northwest Natural Holding reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.39, exceeding expectations by $0.03, indicating the company's resilience and stability in profitability.
- Revenue Miss: Despite a 6.3% year-over-year revenue increase to $394.16 million, the figure fell short of expectations by $25.88 million, suggesting potential fluctuations in market demand affecting sales performance.
- Long-Term Guidance: The company initiated 2026 EPS guidance between $2.95 and $3.15, slightly below the consensus of $2.99, reflecting a cautiously optimistic outlook on future profitability.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Expected capital expenditures of $2.6 to $2.9 billion from 2026 to 2030 are projected to drive a 6-8% growth in the rate base, supporting the company's future expansion and investment strategies.
See More
Northwest Natural Holdings Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results
- Financial Performance Boost: Northwest Natural Holdings reported an EPS of $2.77 and a record adjusted EPS of $2.93 for 2025, significantly up from $2.03 and $2.33 in 2024, reflecting ongoing improvements in profitability that bolster investor confidence.
- Significant Customer Growth: The company added approximately 98,000 gas and water utility connections over the past 12 months, achieving an overall growth rate of 11.1%, primarily driven by the acquisition of SiEnergy, which will further propel future revenues and market share.
- Record Capital Investment: A record investment of $467 million in utility systems was made to enhance reliability and resiliency, which not only improves service quality but also lays a strong foundation for future business expansion.
- Long-term Growth Outlook: The company initiated 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95 to $3.15 and expects a rate base growth of 6-8% through 2030, demonstrating confidence in future development and a clear strategic plan.
See More
Key Earnings Reports Expected Before Friday's Open
- Earnings Release Companies: Major companies expected to report earnings before Friday's open include Arbor Realty Trust (ARR), Energy Fuels (UUUU), AES Corporation (AES), Frontline plc (FRO), and Globalstar (GSAT), all of which hold significant positions in their respective industries.
- Additional Earnings Forecasts: In addition to the major players, other companies slated for earnings release include AMR, AMRX, ANIP, AUGO, BASFY, CRI, DCBO, DK, DKL, EC, EXK, FLGT, GLP, GOGO, ICAGY, INTT, NWN, PSO, SHO, TAC, TCPC, and YPF, showcasing a diverse market landscape.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Investors are expected to closely monitor these earnings reports to assess their potential impact on market dynamics, particularly in light of increasing economic uncertainty, as results could lead to significant stock price fluctuations.
- Earnings Season Calendar: Seeking Alpha offers a comprehensive earnings season calendar, assisting investors in staying informed to make more informed investment decisions.
See More
Northwest Natural Holding Named Among Best Utility Stocks for Dividends in 2026
- Price Target Increase: Stifel raised the price target for Northwest Natural Holding from $52 to $58 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating, indicating over an 11% upside from the current share price, reflecting market confidence in the company's future performance.
- Earnings Report Highlights: In its Q4 2025 report, Northwest Natural posted adjusted earnings of $1.39 per share, beating estimates by $0.03, although revenue of $394 million fell short by nearly $26 million, demonstrating resilience amid growth with a 6% YoY increase.
- Record Annual Performance: The company achieved a record adjusted EPS of $2.93 for FY 2025 and deployed a record amount of capital to support customers, indicating its competitive position and solid customer base in the market.
- Future Growth Targets: Northwest Natural is targeting an EPS range of $2.95 to $3.15 for FY 2026, reaffirming its goal of achieving a CAGR of 4%-6% through 2030, showcasing its potential for long-term growth.
See More
Northwest Natural Holding Company Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Record Earnings Per Share: Northwest Natural Holding Company reported an adjusted earnings per share of $2.93 for 2025, a 25.8% increase from $2.33 in 2024, driven by new rates and strong organic customer growth that enhanced profitability.
- Innovative Capital Investment: The company achieved a record capital investment of $467 million in 2025, with $340 million allocated to acquisitions, demonstrating its proactive strategy in expanding operations and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Outstanding Water Segment Performance: The water segment contributed $0.35 per share, accounting for 12% of the company's adjusted earnings per share, exceeding expectations and indicating its significant role in overall performance.
- Future Growth Outlook: The company anticipates earnings per share for 2026 to range between $2.95 and $3.15, maintaining a long-term growth rate of 4% to 6% annually, with potential increases to 5% to 7% if the MX3 project receives approval.
See More
Northwest Natural (NWN) Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Northwest Natural Holding Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Northwest Natural Holding reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.39, exceeding expectations by $0.03, indicating the company's resilience and stability in profitability.
- Revenue Miss: Despite a 6.3% year-over-year revenue increase to $394.16 million, the figure fell short of expectations by $25.88 million, suggesting potential fluctuations in market demand affecting sales performance.
- Long-Term Guidance: The company initiated 2026 EPS guidance between $2.95 and $3.15, slightly below the consensus of $2.99, reflecting a cautiously optimistic outlook on future profitability.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Expected capital expenditures of $2.6 to $2.9 billion from 2026 to 2030 are projected to drive a 6-8% growth in the rate base, supporting the company's future expansion and investment strategies.
See More
Northwest Natural Holdings Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results
- Financial Performance Boost: Northwest Natural Holdings reported an EPS of $2.77 and a record adjusted EPS of $2.93 for 2025, significantly up from $2.03 and $2.33 in 2024, reflecting ongoing improvements in profitability that bolster investor confidence.
- Significant Customer Growth: The company added approximately 98,000 gas and water utility connections over the past 12 months, achieving an overall growth rate of 11.1%, primarily driven by the acquisition of SiEnergy, which will further propel future revenues and market share.
- Record Capital Investment: A record investment of $467 million in utility systems was made to enhance reliability and resiliency, which not only improves service quality but also lays a strong foundation for future business expansion.
- Long-term Growth Outlook: The company initiated 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95 to $3.15 and expects a rate base growth of 6-8% through 2030, demonstrating confidence in future development and a clear strategic plan.
See More
Key Earnings Reports Expected Before Friday's Open
- Earnings Release Companies: Major companies expected to report earnings before Friday's open include Arbor Realty Trust (ARR), Energy Fuels (UUUU), AES Corporation (AES), Frontline plc (FRO), and Globalstar (GSAT), all of which hold significant positions in their respective industries.
- Additional Earnings Forecasts: In addition to the major players, other companies slated for earnings release include AMR, AMRX, ANIP, AUGO, BASFY, CRI, DCBO, DK, DKL, EC, EXK, FLGT, GLP, GOGO, ICAGY, INTT, NWN, PSO, SHO, TAC, TCPC, and YPF, showcasing a diverse market landscape.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Investors are expected to closely monitor these earnings reports to assess their potential impact on market dynamics, particularly in light of increasing economic uncertainty, as results could lead to significant stock price fluctuations.
- Earnings Season Calendar: Seeking Alpha offers a comprehensive earnings season calendar, assisting investors in staying informed to make more informed investment decisions.
See More
